The Canon 100mm f/2.8 USM macro is a lovely lens already, and Canon would need to significantly improve on it to make any owner of this lens consider selling in order to upgrade to the new L version.

I have a sigma 50 mm at 2.8 which is also a wonderful lens but the Canon is so much smoother and easier to use.

Optically, however, it is no better than the superb unstabilized Canon 100mm macro at half the price

Canon did good here.

you might want take extra caution when useing this one in windy or dusty environment, it's weather seal isn't as good as Canon officially claimed, you could get excellent picture as well as serious dust problems, strong air movement, even the blower, can actually push dust into the lens, especially the rare element

This terrific Canon lens is anytime as good as the Leica

you want one of the sharpest lenses canon makes

I am a die-hard Canon (uber-hobbyist) user who will spare no expense (I'm retired and have the bucks to do so) to purchase the finest Canon (it's all fine by me!

That is nice, but not as nice as Canon's other top of the line macro lens which gives as much as 5X magnification

Canon doesn't correct high contrast areas (bright on dark) color fringing in firmware like Nikon does

That may be the best macro Canon makes in terms of optical performance, but without stabilization, I think this 100mm lens would still be my first choice.

I researched several after market lens makers as well as Canon to compare quality, price and features

I am a die-hard Canon (uber-hobbyist) user who will spare no expense (I'm retired and have the bucks to do so) to purchase the finest Canon (it's all fine by me!

I loved my older Canon 100 2.8 Macro lens and took many great shots over the years.

By the way, it looks like Canon is discontinuing that lens (its been recently removed from the Canon USA website), so act fast if you want that model.

In my opinion, this is the best lens Canon makes.

Does not focus as fast as my Canon

I love Canon

Well done Canon

Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, there all razor sharp

Canon has improved upon the overall design of the lens here by adding image stabilization, improving autofocus, and improving the build and weather sealing of the body

Canon is the best!

Finally I would say that the new 100mm L macro lens is just as sharp as canon's other L series macro, the 180mm.

Any of the major websites will tell you the truth: this lens is AWESOME and one of the top 3 Canon lenses at the moment

If you dont own a tripod, you should get one, but for those who don't, and for those who want to use this as a fast portrait lens, the Canon

Of all these, the lens I reach for most is the 100mm 2.8L. Its light, so I can carry it for long periods of time, its nicely sharp, arguably as

Now, they will likely not be as sharp as if they were on a tripod, but they will still be usable and this is a huge difference; you will be able to spontaneously capture things you would have missed before while setting up your tripod

A relatively slow shutter speed to capture the scene in front of me usually meant I'd have to compensate by ratcheting up the ISO or go wider with the aperture, which are not always or often good compromises, for image quality reasons as well as for reasons of creative choice.

It is a high-grade plastic and I think Canon decided to switch materials to reduce the weight of the lens, which I prefer as it gives good balance on my 5D mark I with battery grip.

You can use it as a medium telephoto, as well as, of course, for macro work.

It brings everything into focus, making my photography look as sharp as it can be.